LVMS Newsletter

Hello! My name is Lydia Sanchez and this year I'll be teaching 7th & 8th grade ELA. I'm entering my 13th year of teaching. I was born and raised in New Jersey (you'll hear it in my accent). My husband and I got married in 2017 and moved to Texas in 2018. We love it here! I have two incredible children, a 5-year old daughter, Aria, who is starting kindergarten this year (bittersweet) and a 2-year old son, Brandon. I also have a sweet fur-baby, Remy, who is a 2-year old mini labradoodle. I enjoy spending time with my family, fitness (became an instructor this summer!), exploring new restaurants, and traveling. I am excited to be a part of the Viking family!

My name is Elissa Esch. This will be my first year in LVISD but 10th year teaching overall. I spent the past 9 years at Liberty Hill Middle School where I most recently taught P.E./coached and was the girls’ athletic coordinator. I taught 7th grade ELA for 6 years before transitioning into the gym/P.E. roll at LHMS. I will be stepping back into the classroom as an ELA teacher and girls’ coach this year. I am so excited to join the family at LVMS!

My daughters Reese (5) and Reagan (4) will both be Vikings and will be coming to Lago Vista with me. Outside of watching Paw Patrol and Wild Kratts, they love to swim, be in the gym with me, and be country girls out at my parent’s ranch. On the rare occasion that I’m not in a gym or watching Paw Patrol or Wild Kratts, I like to travel, hike, watch other sporting events, or be at my parent’s ranch.

Can’t wait to meet everyone!

My name is Tyler Simons and I grew up on an island called Vinalhaven, 15 miles off the coast of Maine, but my family has been living in Lago Vista for the last 18 years. It will be an honor and privilege to be returning as a teacher in Lago Vista ISD after a 7 year venture into Leander ISD. My position will be teaching 7th grade math and I am so happy and excited to be returning to Lago Vista ISD. There is no place like home.

My name is Helen Wilson and I from Southeast Texas. I'm in my 11th year teaching and have been working at Lago Vista ISD for over a year. This year I will be teaching FAC. I love all animals, but I love dogs the most!

Hi LVMS, my name is Patrick Hughes. I am coming to Lago from Liberty Hill where I have worked the past 5 years. There, I worked both at the middle school and high schools in either SPED or Business classes and coached girls basketball. In addition, I have previously taught many different classes in CTE, been a head basketball coach, an athletic director, and a dean of students. Here at LVMS, I will work in the SPED department as well as be an assistant girls basketball coach at the high school.

My oldest is Aubrey (17) who plays volleyball and recently committed to playing college volleyball next year in Massachusetts. We traveled all over the country this year playing in many club tournaments. Morgan (14) recently made the dance team at LHHS and will also play tennis. Kyle (12) primarily plays basketball but will also try football this year at LHMS.

We are very excited to be joining the LVMS team and look forward to meeting everyone.

My name is Sonia Hoofnagle, I am pleased to join the Lago Vista Middle School team this year! I’ve worked for LVISD as an early childhood educator for nearly seven years. This year I will be teaching Intro to Spanish and Spanish 1. As a teacher, I am committed to creating a fun, safe, and inclusive learning environment for all students. I aim to inspire and empower all students to become lifelong learners and critical thinkers.

I am a native of Mexico, born in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, but raised in the United States since the age of five years old. I love sharing my first language and some of my culture in every classroom. I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for 28 years, together we have three amazing children and a sweet German Shepherd we call Peanut. We’ve lived in the Jonestown/Lago Vista area since 2012. We love to travel, but our hometown is our safe place where we enjoy time with friends, on the boat, and the lake, as much as possible. In my spare time, I enjoy crafting, baking, and reading.

Hello! Most of you will recognize me from the Intermediate school where I am the Performing Arts teacher. I am thrilled to be reviving the MS theatre program and can’t wait to see what they can do. My husband and I have 3 kids: Quin-7th, Juniper-6th and Llewellyn in 3rd.

This summer we added two members to our family, a Basenji named Salinger and a Roomba named Veronica.

My name is Merced Ocampo and I was born in Austin. I been living here in Lago Vista for the past five years. I have three girls here in LVISD. I am an out going person and I like to travel and have family time!

I grew up in Brownsville, Texas. I recently completed my bachelor’s degree for music education at the University of Texas at Austin. I was able to participate with the Longhorn Band for 3 years. I am grateful to begin my first year teaching with Lago Vista ISD!

My name is Jennifer Vowles, and I am very excited to be joining LVISD as the new band director. I have been a band director for 23 years, and most recently I was head band director at Sprague High School in Salem, Oregon. I'm excited to be here and look forward to continuing the great progress our band has made!